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Definition of understate

understate

/ˌʌndɚˈsteɪt/
un · der · state
Adjective:understated
•
Past Simple:understated
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Past Participle:understated
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Present Participle:understating
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understate Lexical Profile

understate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To describe or represent something as being smaller, less important, or less severe than it actually is.

Example

"The initial report tended to understate the true cost of repairing the bridge."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for understate

• Nearby Words

understandably
understanding
understandingly
understate
understated
understatedly
understatement

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English in the late 18th century by combining the Old English prefix 'under-' with the verb 'state' (from Latin 'status', meaning condition or position).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Understate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/understate
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